Zambia’s Ambassador to US presents credential to Obama

United States President Barack Obama has pledged to expand the growing economic ties with Zambia through increased bilateral trade and investment.

President Obama said the United States was committed to assisting Zambia in improving productivity and diversity in the agriculture sector.

He was speaking at the White House in Washington DC yesterday when he received the letter of credence from Zambia’s Ambassador to the United States Palan Mulonda.

This is contained in a press release issued to ZANIS by First Secretary for Press at the Zambian Embassy in Washington DC, Patricia Littiya.

And President Obama commended the Zambian government for its increased focus on addressing the public health challenges.

“We laud the Zambian government’s growing leadership in addressing its public health challenges and pledge to continue our investment through the President Emergency Plan for Aids Relief (PEPFAR) and other initiatives to combat infectious diseases and improve maternal and child health,” he said.

President Obama observed that both the US and Zambia are dedicated to democracy, peace, health and the welfare of the Zambian people and around the world.

He added that this is evidenced through a history of cooperation both regionally and internationally through peacekeeping, the United Nations and support for refugees.

And presenting his letters of credence, Ambassador Mulonda said Zambia considers the US as a key development partner.

Mr. Mulonda said the two countries continue to benefit at bilateral and multilateral levels in various areas of mutual cooperation.

He observed that Zambia has benefited from US through initiatives such PEPFAR and the global fund to fight AIDS, tuberculosis and malaria.

He said Zambia was determined to increase trade volumes with the US under the African Growth and Opportunity Act (AGOA) adding that the recent US trade mission to Zambia will enhance export opportunities.

“I shall seek to explore trade and investment opportunities between the two countries in order to enhance economic development,” said Mr. Mulonda.

Mr. Mulonda added that Zambia has been a champion of democracy as seen through the holding of regular elections and peaceful transition of power.

He said the Zambian government under the leadership of President Michael Sata was committed to upholding the rule of law.